Hugging 'good for the health'

Receiving regular hugs may help to protect a person against catching infections, according to a new study from the US.

Doctors at the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh set out to explore if showing social support in the form of a hug could have any potential health benefits for people.

Lead author of the study Sheldon Cohen explained: 'We tested whether perceptions of social support are equally effective in protecting us from stress-induced susceptibility to infection and also whether receiving hugs might partially account for those feelings of support and themselves protect a person against infection.'

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Over 400 apparently healthy adults were recruited for the study and were required to fill out a questionnaire detailing how much social support they felt they received from friends, family and other people in their life.

Then, the participants took part in a series of telephone interviews with the scientists over 14 consecutive nights, in which they were asked about their social interactions with others, covering everything from arguments to hugs.

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Following this, the individuals were exposed to the common cold virus, before being placed in quarantine while the doctors monitored them for signs of infection developing.

It was found that those who reported receiving greater social support and more hugs during times of personal conflict were less likely to catch the common cold, possibly due to a reduction in stress hormones. It could also be due to hugs exposing individuals to a greater range of germs carried by other people, therefore strengthening their immune system.

Some of the well-supported participants did become infected with the virus, but their symptoms were not as severe as those who received fewer hugs.

To conclude, Mr Cohen added: 'The apparent protective effect of hugs may be attributable to the physical contact itself or to hugging being a behavioural indicator of support and intimacy.'

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